Presenting the TEDxToledo: relMAGINE ‘scholarship’

In my experience, people who know what TED is can’t get enough of it. People who don’t wonder how it slipped by them for all this time after their first taste of an 18-minute talk.

TED is about ideas worth spreading. The conferences consist of daylong, sometimes weeklong events where any number of speakers present on the spectrum of Technology, Entertainment, and Design. The larger TED conferences traditionally happen in California (though they’re moving it to Canada for next year), and in Edinburgh, Scotland. TEDx is the more accessible version of these conferences organized under license from TED by a local dweller who wants to share a compelling idea, showcase talent, and change a community. For Toledo, that do-gooder is myself. I’m incredibly honored to present TEDxToledo to this community again for the second year.

While last year’s theme was based on the historic Toledo adage “You Will Do Better,” this year’s theme is “reIMAGINE.”

Last year’s TEDxToledo was a sold-out event presented at Health Care REIT. It gave a much-needed injection of hope about our community to many who attended. Honestly, before the event I was a bit weary of defending Toledo and its promise, but I left refreshed and excited about what we had and continue to have to offer the world.

I saw a 10-year-old software application developer by the name of Jonathan Buchanan who’s from here. He is the youngest person in the world to have a smartphone app available in the App Store that he programmed totally on his own.

I listened to a talk given by Simon Guo, who is from the other side of the planet but now lives here. He came all the way from China to show us what sometimes even we ourselves struggle to see, our own beauty. He shared what I believe was an old Chinese proverb that I won’t soon forget: “When you’re on the mountain, it’s hard to appreciate its beauty. Sometimes it’s only those who aren’t on the mountain that recognize it’s magnificence.”

Say that twice please, Simon.

I remember Jelani Exum, who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and Harvard Law School, and is now is a distinguished law professor at the University of Toledo. She eloquently made the case for us to rethink juvenile justice.

I’m still amazed at how the energy of our inaugural event, almost an entire year ago, still reverberates. People still tell me about how it’s helped them see Toledo anew.

I was born and raised in Toledo, and you, my neighbors, constantly amaze me.

Victoria Kamm, a social media entrepreneur who I’ve yet to meet, sent me a message via Facebook stating that while she couldn’t make this year’s event because of a prior commitment, she wanted someone who couldn’t otherwise go to have the opportunity to experience it.

I thanked her for her kindness and suggested that maybe we could do it as a scholarship in her name. She said, “In that case, let’s do it for two people,” on her dime.

In conjunction with Toledo Free Press, I’m happy to announce the TEDxToledo: reIMAGINE scholarship presented by Kamm. With this scholarship, you’ll enjoy a day at TEDxToledo, an event where Toledo’s leading thinkers and doers gather — many describe it as the highlight of their year. This year’s event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at One SeaGate Auditorium in Downtown. It’s “the ultimate brain spa.”

To qualify, send an email with the subject line “TEDx” to Toledo Free Press at letters@

toledofreepress.com telling us how you imagine Toledo “re-imagined.” We’ll select two winners. Deadline to submit your letter is Sept. 6.

Can’t wait to meet you at TEDxToledo: reIMAGINE. Tickets are on sale now at TEDx

Toledo.com.

Will Lucas is founder and CEO of Creadio, president at AWLCo, a music producer and former radio DJ.

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